Nyman: The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat

Nashville Opera, Nyman, Michael, soliści, Williamson, Dean

8.660398

The music by the Nashville Opera Orchestra under the stewardship of the legendary Michael Nyman, conducted to perfection by Dean Williamson lend this narrative startling life! The opening "Prologue Neurology s favorite term is deficit (Neurologist)" instantly engages the mind. Before long, I was thoroughly immersed in the life and trials of Oliver Sacks. Michael Nyman's minimalist approach to the music is genius and keeps the listener completely engaged. I especially loved "The Shoe Can I help (Neurologist, Dr P, Mrs P)" in Scene 2...the strings are brilliant and their single note performance in a large part of it retains the suspense beautifully. The words in "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat Scene 2 The River What do" are poignant. I loved the emotions in the vocals here. The confusing happenings in Mr.P's life coming to a head in Scene 3 is done so very well.....I loved the vocals conveying this confusion in tandem with the strings' fast paced performance adding to the general air of disharmony...… this is a beautiful part! "The Prescription" is so very sad, the couple's struggles are heartrendingly performed here. The Epilogue brings to light the frustrations of a neurologist in his inability to fully comprehend the problem. The melancholy in this piece is brought out stunningly with Rebecca Sjowall's Soprano and plaintive cello and violins. Matthew Trevino's Bass, Rebecca Sjowall's Soprano and Tenor Ryan McPherson are fantastic. The entire production is awe-inspiring and worth many many listens to fully comprehend the complexity of this fine work.

CD

26.08.2016

730099039871